The Escape Pod promotes Leah Hattendorf to SVP, Director of Strategy

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Independent agency The
Escape Pod announced today that it has promoted Leah Hattendorf to
Senior Vice President, Director of Strategy. In her new role, Leah will
continue to lead The Escape Pod’s Research and Strategy group, in
addition to spearheading new business efforts and building out
additional revenue streams for the agency.

“Leah has worked across all our clients, earning their trust by
providing valuable insights to steward and grow their brands. She honed
her strategic chops at several top global ad agencies, but what sets her
apart is the heart and empathy that she brings to her work. Her
commitment to truly understanding the lives of consumers out in the real
world has fueled some of our most successful campaigns,” said Norm
Bilow, Managing Director and Co-founder of The Escape Pod.

During her time at The Escape Pod, Leah has guided brand and
communications strategy for Mondelez, Toys“R”Us, KIND, EGO and
Southeastern Grocers. She played an integral role in defining the
Toys“R”Us brand promise that championed the importance of play. She was
also responsible for positioning and launching EGO as a technology brand
in the crowded lawn care category. Most recently she assisted
Southeastern Grocers in positioning a new grocery store brand, Fresco y
Mas, focused on meeting the needs of the Hispanic community.

“It has been said that a great advertising strategist could probably
make the transition to being a great creative, and vice-versa. Leah is
one of those rare big picture thinkers who gets it all. She has endless
energy, a unique point of view and she’s great fun to be around. We
couldn’t be happier to have her at The Escape Pod,” said Vinny Warren,
Executive Creative Director and Co-founder, The Escape Pod.

Prior to joining The Escape Pod, Leah worked at several agencies
including JWT New York, FCB and DDB, on clients including Kimberly
Clark, Kraft, Cars.com and State Farm.

“The Escape Pod is a dream for the independent-minded. It is the unique
agency that’s committed to excellent work but also understands that a
humane and inspired environment is essential in order to do so. I feel
lucky to have found a team as passionate about the business as I am, and
I look forward to building on our successes,” said Leah Hattendorf, SVP
Director of Strategy, The Escape Pod.

About The Escape Pod

Founded in 2006, The
Escape Pod is an independent, Chicago-based creative powerhouse
known for category-changing work that drives results for clients such as
Southeastern Grocers (Winn-Dixie, BI-LO & Harveys), Mondelēz, EGO Power+
and Toys”R”Us. In 2017, The Escape Pod formed The
Escape Pod Group in partnership with digital production studio, ORA
Interactive, and experiential agency, OutCold.
The Escape Pod Group is a collective of specialty advertising agencies,
purpose-built to deliver breakthrough ideas with speed, agility and
cost-savings for clients. We combine creative firepower with
full-service capabilities across creative, digital, social and
experiential marketing. Our mission: amplifying brands across all
channels to drive growth. Learn more at www.theescapepodgroup.com.

Contacts

The Escape Pod
Celia Jones
Brand Director
773.885.9781
celia@theescapepodagency.com